Walker Tests

[Snrub]

Apparently F3000 champ Pastorelli put in a good performance in a walker test. http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/14368/

Albers has a test today and this article suggests he might be able to bring sponsorhip (which would be good). http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/14353/

In the first article Walker says: “This series continues to be one of the best formulas in the world. When you consider the car, the engine, and the racing cost versus value, Champ Car is second to none in my opinion...”

I wonder if these tests mean that Haberfeld is out of a seat or if Walker might run 2 cars?

[camcartfan]

Hopefully it means 2 cars. Was Haberfeld a pay driver? If so, where did he get the money?

[BootsOntheSide]

Getting a test for Walker is like getting a kiss with a drunk girl in a club. Actually bedding yourself into the team for the full season is much harder. Rememebr how many guys tested for the team last season, and none of them actually got a drive with the team. I remember someone (Indycool?) commenting that those tests were more like credit checks, as any drive for any of them would be down to money, not talent. In the end I think Mario only brought a little sponsorship, although I suspect OWRS helped out a little. There's no mention of Mario in thsoe articles, but that may mean little.

[cartpix]

I read something, this morning, that Walker was going to run 2 Lolas for 2005.

Jeff

[Marcel ten Caat]

IF Albers moves to ChampCar he's allowed to bring Trust with him so the pictures could be true.

But only today several websites reported that Albers signed a contract with Minardi (or at least a 'pre-contract').
In F1 he won't be sponsored by Trust as they are not allowed to sponsor any driver in an official FIA series until 2006 that doesn't listen to the name Jos Verstappen

[Snrub]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Remember how many guys tested for the team last season, and none of them actually got a drive with the team. I remember someone (Indycool?) commenting that those tests were more like credit checks, as any drive for any of them would be down to money, not talent.

Lol, that's funny. I don't remember it being that many tests, any idea how many people got Walker tests last year (ballpark figure)?

I suspect OWRS helped out a little.

Well...yes they did, we all know that.

[Tenoch]

i know Michael Valiente, had a test so did Jonathan Macri, Ryan Daziel, and Timo Glock.

[BootsOntheSide]

That list sounds right Tenoch.

[gomick]

didnt some aussie bloke (not besnard) get a test too recently - cant believe i cant think of his name

[Dov]

I believe his last name was Marshall.

[Teretonga]

Marcus Marshall, 2002 FF champ, Winner of a round of the British F3 championship in 2004.

[mac]

Marshall tested Mazzacane's Dale Coyne car ..... not the Walker one.

Did a very impressive job too, by the sounds of it.

[N I Tram]

2 Lolas are Walker's plan, and Habefeld and Albers would be an interesting line-up - two of the biggest F3000 flops in history, but both with good records before and after that. Mario is a proven midfield runner who'd probably do better in the Lola, and I'd take Albers over Verstappen under the circumstances.

[Dov]

^ I'd take Michael Valiante over all of them.

[jjspierx]

As would I.

[StickShift]

Christijan Albers and Michael Valiante would be a very potent line-up.

[BootsOntheSide]

I'm not sure how good Albers really is, and his style would need to readjust to single-seaters. Vailente and Haberfeld would be ideal in my view, especially as both are from major ChampCar markets.

[Daisy]

Albers denied a move to Champcar, he wants F1 but if he can't go there he will stay in DTM.

[luke]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

I'm not sure how good Albers really is, and his style would need to readjust to single-seaters.

DTM is not really a touring car. It's a carbon silloutte car that is closer to a open wheel, than a touring car. In fact they are supposed to be similar in driving style to an F3 car due to the amount of down force and rigidity of the chassis.
DTM should be a good feeder for F1 and Champ Car. That's why a lot of ex F1 drivers are having winning ways.
Now if he were coming from ETCC it would be a differents story.
So really he shouldn't have that much of a problem adapting.

[carsten66]

... and remenber back, Dario Franchitti drove first in the DTM, also Fisichella. Some years back the DTM cars had nearly the same power like F1 cars... so I think Albers would be a good addition for the Camp Cars...

[luke]

And ex F1 drivers, and there's a long list, that I doubt needs exploring, unless you really want me to.

[minirda]

Originally Posted by N I Tram

2 Lolas are Walker's plan, and Habefeld and Albers would be an interesting line-up - two of the biggest F3000 flops in history, but both with good records before and after that. Mario is a proven midfield runner who'd probably do better in the Lola, and I'd take Albers over Verstappen under the circumstances.

Verstappen has more racing qualities in his toos than Albers has in his whole body. Add to that Verstappen is far more experienced. I'd pick Verstappen.

[Snrub]

ALMS, Grand Am, Trans Am and to a lesser extent World Challange all have some seriously potent classes that could theoretically feed CC. It doesn't seem to happen though. Pruett and Johnstone seem to be the last domestic series people to move to CC and their results were a little mixed. I know he's a little old now, but I think it would have been interesting to see Boris Said in a CC.

[luke]

Originally Posted by Snrub

I know he's a little old now, but I think it would have been interesting to see Boris Said in a CC.

Now that would be intresting.

[enemy-ace]

Boris is too big for a single seater. Ron Fellows initially wanted to race single seaters but his size also determined he would be better suited to tin-tops. And yes I know Justin Wilson is big (read tall) but he is tooth pick thin.
It would be nice to see Albers in CC but the DTM is looking to be a very strong series and I wouldn't fault him if he stayed there.